Soundings
Gulf Harbour Book Club Review
JOAN KAPLAN
THE STOLEN QUEEN
The Gulf Harbor Book Club met on April 7, to discuss The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis. There were 38 members in attendance.
After each author that we have on Zoom, we always
say this was the best book club ever. So when we tell you that this was the best book club ever you can’t even imagine what you missed.
Linda Rosalanko prepared the following bio on Fiona. Fiona was astounded at the information Linda found.
Fiona Davis was born to English parents in Canada and raised in New Jersey, Utah and Texas. She was valedictorian of her high school class. She is a graduate of the College of William and Mary, where she majored in International Relations and minored in English. She is also a graduate of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
She began her career in New York City as an actress, where she worked on Broadway, off Broadway and in regional theater. After 10 years, she changed careers and began working as an editor and writer. Fiona has said that she was glad she was out taking risks and attempting to live an artistic life. This was a steppingstone to doing what she really loves, writing novels.
Her historical fiction debut, The Doll House, was published in 2016. Fiona had divorced at age 49, finally becoming a
published author with this book. This also enabled her to purchase her very own New York City apartment after many years of living there. She likes using her books to explore the way women’s roles have changed over time, as well as the ways they have remained the same. She has penned many books all eternally in iconic buildings in New York.
Fiona met her significant other, author Greg Wands while she was doing a book signing at Shakespeare & Company bookstore in New York. Their mutual publicist suggested Wands should swing by. This publicist is quite the matchmaker! Fiona and Greg have been together ever since. They even co-wrote a novella, The Gimlet Slip! Fiona continues to
live in the always inspiring New York City. Her latest book, The Stolen Queen was released earlier this year.
Fiona is the most delightful person whose personality came right through our screen. She is charming, articulate, vivacious, mischievous and very attractive. You can imagine her wheels turning in her brain as she communicated with us. Linda and I met
Fiona at the Sanibel Library where she discussed her book, The Spectacular. It is spectacular.
This story is set at The Met in New York focusing on Egyptian art. Charlotte Cross as a young anthropology student was offered a spot on the archeological dig in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings. In addition to a major discovery by Charlotte, she falls in love and has a baby. She could never relinquish
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her thoughts that a woman pharaoh ruled Egypt which was never accepted by the Egyptians. She has found her tomb!
Tragedy struck and she returned home without revealing her life in Egypt. She ends up at The Met. After many years of working there as a curator, the Met was having a gala celebrating Egyptian art when Charlotte discovered one of the museum’s most celebrated piece of Egyptian art goes missing.
She and Annie risk their lives to find the artifact. Needless to say, women are treated as second-class citizens until proven wrong! Charlotte will prove them wrong when she returns and finds the same tomb.
A new young employee is working on the gala with Diana Vreeland who has the most outrageous requests for Annie to fulfill. Diana then turns on her charming side with the volunteer
workers who are big patrons of the Met. Annie is 18 and becomes Charlotte’s aide in her venture back to Egypt. It is historical fiction, fiction and a mystery all in one.
You will fall in love with Charlotte and Annie.
The ensuing story is marvelous. This is a must read as are all of Fiona’s books. Her next release is in 2027. We can’t wait.
The Gulf Harbour Book Club meets on the first Monday of each month in the Club’s Boardroom. If you want to join the book club
email joankaplan@mac.com. Zoom is available for members if the author allows it. Zoom is available for members during the off season. We had seven authors lined up for the 2024/2025 season.
We have the following authors on Zoom. In December, The House on Biscayne Bay by Chanel Cleeton; January, Family by Laurie Frankel; February, Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray; March, Caveat Emptor by Ken Peryini; April, The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis; and The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe. We are working on next season with Kristin Harmel for The Stolen Life of Christopher Marceau, also Stephanie Dray, Marie Benedict, Abi Dare, Christopher Torockio, Ariel Lawton, Chris Whitaker, Ann Napolitano, Marie Benedict, Jane Yang, Bernhardt Schlinke, etc. Beginning July 2025, we will move to The Fitness Center at 1 p.m.
Thank you for your blood donations!
Gulf Harbour Yacht & Country Club Saturday, March 22, 2025
William Aarons
Inge Albert
William Atkin
Randy Siffert
Jeanne Braun
Richard Brown
Marshall Chay
Denise Chay
Carlie Chubb
Ronna Cline
Michael Crate
Georgine Davidson
Gary Delanois
John Didion
Elaine Fritz
John Graczyk
Michele Gust
William Gardin
David Heatherman
Randers Ireland
Michael Jaszczyk
Gary Jeub
Mary Jeub
Candace Kelly
Michael Kenny
Kris Klunge
David Knust
Michael Knust
Michael Long
William Mccaffrey
Eloise Meissner
Doug Roberts
Joyce Saparnis
Paula Schenkal
Eric Schwartz
Jacob Schwei
Scott Sullivan
Linda Van Wyk
Dean Winkelmann
Sandra Yetman
Thank you for “giving the gift of life.” We were able to collect 36 units of blood.
The Majestic Kapok Tree
KAREN M. MAXWELL, HORTICULTURE SPECIALIST AND HORTICULTURE PROGRAMS COORDINATOR
When visitors to Edison and Ford Winter Estates walk toward the museum from the parking lot, the first giant tree that they encounter is often the majestic Kapok. Commanding in several aspects, this tree was designed to and has withstood many hurricanes, trucks rolling over its protruding roots and extended periods of drought. The tree is stabilized by 15-feethigh buttress roots that offer an interesting backdrop for guests taking photos. This tree is the tallest species in South America and Africa.
Ceiba pentandra is a member of the Malvaceae family of plants and trees. Kapok is a modern name from Malay, meaning tree. Ceiba is the indigenous Spanish tribal name (pronounced “Say”-ba) and pentandra refers to the five (penta) stamens of its flowers, which range in color from cream to pale pink. Historically here at the Estates, there are many references to this tree’s cousin, the red silk-cotton tree ( Bombax ceiba) which has grown on the riverside since the 1930s per the historical tree inventories. While the silk-cotton trees are native to Asia and Africa , Ceiba pentandra is native to Central and South America.
Considered the tallest species that grows in the Amazon rainforest, it is no wonder that the Hometree in the movie Avatar was modeled after this gray giant. To the ancient Mayans, the Ceiba pentandra was considered the symbol of the universe. Though not native to Africa, it is believed that the buoyant and waterproof seed pods of the Kapok managed to float across the seas and land on the African continent – today it is the largest tree that grows in Africa and has served as landmarks for rural villages.
The name Kapok has been used interchangeably over the years to also refer to the silk-cotton trees because they produce a similar seedpod, full of seeds attached to fluffy silk (floss) collars to aid in their dispersal. Bombyx is a Greek word, meaning silk and this silk allows both Ceiba and Bombax seeds to travel more than 50 miles in wind.
In Java, the Kapok is an important agronomic commodity due to its fast growth, becoming productive within six years. Known to grow more than a foot a year during its first few years, the tree is documented to reach heights of more
than 200 feet in its native habitat. Kapoks require excessive amounts of water during their young growth years.
I happened to be present one day, when a malfunctioning waterline was uncovered, quite close to the base of the Kapok – it is possible that our gorgeous king of the forest had the benefit of an unrestricted water supply for many years, promoting its enormous growth. We’ll never know for sure. As it matures, the Kapok becomes deciduous during the winter, a survival tactic when water is scarce, to be followed by spring flowering and maybe seedpod production. The Kapok seeds consist of about 25% oil, similar to cottonseed oil; after extraction it is used in cooking, soapmaking and for lubricants. The
plush “floss” was once used to make mattresses, and more importantly life jackets, due to its light weight and buoyancy; however, once the flammability factor was discovered, its use was discontinued for life jackets.
In addition to its massive buttress root systems, the tree, and its cousins, are instantly recognized for
the sharp points that grow lower on the trunk, presumably to deter herbivores that would enjoy its tasty leaves. Similar to our collection of Bombax trees, the spines are very dominant on young trunks and disappear from the trunk as the trees age and gain stature.
THE MAJESTIC KAPOK IS THE LARGEST TREE IN SOUTH AMERICA AND AFRICA. VISITORS CAN SEE THIS TREE AT EDISON AND FORD WINTER ESTATES.
Another identification trait of the Kapok or Ceiba species is its flattened crown – its few branches appear high on its trunk and open across a horizontal plane. I have been photographing this tree over the years and have included some dramatic pre- and post-hurricane photos. When Ian knocked large pieces of branches down, we found that they too, were covered in the same sharp spines seen lower on the Kapok trunk. It is believed that the architecture of the tree helps it secure the most amount of sunlight, with branches that only grow above the dense rainforest canopy. The smooth thin bark of the Kapok discourages attachment of any vine that may threaten the tree, and so we should be incredibly careful to protect the delicate bark on the trunk and roots to prevent entrance of disease or rot to this magnificent specimen.
The large leaves are coated with a waxy finish to minimize transpiration during the hottest days and the large surface area of those leaves allow the Kapok to take full advantage of fog or humidity for water intake.
Sometime in late spring, the Kapok should begin to flower. Our tree is so tall now that it would be difficult to get a good close view of the flowers, though one bloom did fall into the driveway, and I was able to photograph it. It is written that
the flowers emit a pungent odor to attract its primary pollinator, a bat, to its offerings. Scientists have discovered in Kapok, an ability to convert from a fully self-incompatible flowering tree when pollinators are abundant, to a high level of self-pollination when pollinators are scarce.
While the Kapok may also be pollinated by moths, it is believed that bats are much more efficient in the process. Included in today’s article is an opensourced photo from Research Gate where the photographer used white light to capture the Artibeus bat of Jamaica and one can clearly see the bat’s body covered in yellow pollen. According
VISITORS TO EDISON AND FORD WINTER ESTATES ENJOY USING THE LARGE, BUTTRESS ROOTS OF THE KAPOK AS A BACKDROP WHEN TAKING PHOTOS.
THE FLOWERS OF THE KAPOK ARE POLLINATED BY THE ARIBEUS BAT.
to the Florida Bat Conservancy, this particular bat has been spotted on very infrequent occasions in South Florida; but it does make me wonder how someone would know if they’re visiting the top of our Kapok under the cover of darkness? Or are moths and bees pollinating it?
A close relative is the Floss Silk Tree ( Ceiba speciosa ), which many readers will
recognize as the showy tree covered in pink blossoms in mid-autumn, typically around late October. A gorgeous specimen adjacent to the Garden Council building in the Berne Davis Garden was lost during Hurricane Ian . Some materials refer to this tree also as Kapok because their trunks are similar and the seedpods are quite similar, but the Ceiba speciosa only grows to about half the height of a fully grown C. pentandra . The beautiful Floss Silk (sometimes also called Silk Floss – either way is acceptable) was inventoried on our historic property during the 1930s garden tours.
My research into where our Kapok ranks with others in the United States turned up some interesting results. On the site “Monumental Trees,” the Edison Ford’s Kapok photographs are the most frequently viewed of U.S. Kapoks. The last posted measurements were in 2015, where the circumference or girth was indicated as “greater than 4 meters” and the “height unknown.” We hope to update those records in the coming weeks. While clearly not the largest in the world – that record seems to belong to a Ceiba pentandra in Costa Rica that has a recorded height of 198 feet. Perhaps there is a new place in the record books for our Kapok.
United Way To Team Up With Mighty Mussels For Grand Slam Fundraiser On May 10
United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades and the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels are teaming up to hit a home run for United Way’s more than 90 partner agencies and over 260 programs.
United for a Cause will be held Saturday, May 10 at Hammond Stadium at the Lee Health Sports Complex in Fort Myers. Mighty Mussels players will wear custom jerseys that will be auctioned after the
game to benefit United Way. Gates open at 5 p.m. and the first pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.
Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased at https://bit.ly/UfaC_MM25. For every ticket sold through the special link, $5 will be donated to United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades. Enjoy a great night of baseball under the lights with family and friends, all for a worthy cause.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for this family-friendly event. Please contact Marissa Crawford at (239) 6006994 or Marissa@UnitedWayLee.org.
About United Way
In addition to raising funds for human service organizations in our community, United Way promotes partnerships and collaborations among agencies, helping them to work together focusing on issues that continue to improve lives. United Way’s mission as a volunteer-driven organization is dedication to improving the quality of life for all people in our community. United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades was established in 1957 and over $232 million has been raised and distributed since that time. For more information, please call (239) 433-2000 or visit UnitedWayLee.org.
THE VALUE OF LIGHTING
From The Desk Of Sheriff Carmine Marceno...
The list of proactive security measures that can be taken to protect your home and/or business is lengthy. Some are more effective than others.
Surprisingly, few of these measures are more effective than efficient lighting.
Bright lights deter criminal activity. Thieves, burglars and vandals search for low-risk targets … locations at which their movements and methods are easily concealed.
Many security experts agree that lighting is the most cost-effective and efficient way to protect your property.
Decisions must be made, following careful consideration, regarding the type of lighting, how it is activated (full-time, motion-activated, timeractivated), height and location.
Lighting positioned too high will diffuse the light and be less effective. Conversely, lighting placed at lower heights will greatly reduce the area of coverage.
Lighting used in conjunction with a video security system, if positioned correctly, will greatly enhance the quality of the captured video.
To begin, observe your home or business from the exterior, as if you were a prospective intruder. Where
would you seek entry? What entry point appears to be easiest to penetrate? Where would your activity be unseen?
Now, go indoors looking outward. Where would you need lighting in order to best see movement? What darkened areas seem most vulnerable?
Following this exercise, you will likely be prepared to select lighting locations.
Final thoughts…
It is also important to be mindful of your neighbors and the glare of your lighting. Ensure that your lighting does not adversely affect those living next door or nearby.
Consider motion lighting. When motion is detected and the light comes on, your vigilance generally increases.
Speak with lighting experts regarding the use of solar-powered lighting. Solarpowered lighting continues to work when the power grid is down and is easily wired.
In addition to preventing and hindering illegal actions, well-lit areas allow first responders … law enforcement, fire and ambulatory services … to respond more efficiently.
CAMEO Of Lee County To Host Third Annual ‘A Night At The Races’ Fundraiser
SUPPORTING THE UNDERSERVED SENIOR POPULATION
CAMEO of Lee County is proud to announce the return of its signature fundraiser, A Night at the Races, taking place on Friday, May 30, at St. Cecilia’s Church at Marian Hall (5698 Sunrise Drive) in Fort Myers. Doors open at 5 p.m., with a prerecorded derby race beginning at 6 p.m.
Now in its third year, A Night at the Races brings together the community for a highenergy, derby-themed evening featuring professionally managed horse derby races with funny money, best hat contest, raffle prizes, silent auction, dinner, refreshments and opportunities to network with local professionals and community leaders.
All proceeds benefit CAMEO of Lee County Grant Fund, which supports programs and initiatives that directly benefit underserved seniors in our Lee County community.
REGISTRATION AND MORE INFORMATION
General admission is $60, which includes dinner and drinks, derby betting funny money, chance and silent auction, photo booth and a best hat contest. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit: Upcoming Events | CAMEO of Lee County.
For additional details on CAMEO of Lee County’s mission, upcoming events, sponsorships or membership, please contact: cameocares@gmail. com or visit www.cameoofleecounty.com.
ABOUT CAMEO
CAMEO is a dedicated nonprofit organization, committed to improving the lives of seniors in Southwest Florida. Our mission is to support the underserved senior population in Lee County, ensuring they have access to essential resources, services and opportunities for a better quality of life. Since our formation in 1998, we have focused our efforts on addressing the unique needs of seniors, particularly those who are most vulnerable and in need of assistance.
ABOUT THE CAMEO OF LEE COUNTY’S GRANT FUND
Over the years, CAMEO has been able to make a significant impact in our community, thanks to the generosity and support of membership, local patrons and businesses. Through their contributions, we have awarded over $310,000 in grants to programs and initiatives that directly benefit seniors in our area. These grants have provided critical support, from health and wellness programs to social services, helping to enrich the lives of countless seniors in Lee County.
Catch The Action
CAPT. BILL RUSSELL
MAY ON THE WATER
May is a month with warm weather, calm seas, and the potential for good fishing. The month brings a host of choices for anglers of all skill levels.
This is the time of year that gives anglers the best opportunity to hook into a tarpon, as they move into Southwest Florida waters by the thousands. Look for them a short distance off the beaches, around the Gulf Passes, bridges, plus throughout the inshore waters. Tarpons’ diet includes a variety of baits, however at times they will not eat anything you offer. Live baits including crabs, Atlantic thread herring, pinfish, and large shrimp are top choices and cut bait fished on bottom, including mullet, ladyfish, and catfish tails are tarpon favorites.
Sharks of all sizes roam the inshore waters, around the Gulf Passes, and offshore around schooling baitfish and reefs. Large hammerhead and bull sharks follow tarpon schools awaiting their next meal. Spinner and blacktip sharks are almost identical in appearance, and both offer an incredibly hard fight, often with a great aerial show. If you are fishing an area and hooking ladyfish or mackerel, you can be assured sharks are nearby. A chunk of ladyfish is sure to get attention, use a minimum of a foot or two of wire leader to prevent cutoffs.
Spanish mackerel is an underrated fish that gives an excellent fight as they are super-fast and strong. If iced down as soon as they are caught and eaten fresh, they are very good on the table. Good numbers of schooling mackerel frequent areas just outside or inside the Gulf Passes, around bridges, and artificial reefs within sight of land. Either trolling or casting silver spoons with a fast retrieve is the top method for consistently hooking mackerel. A short trace of light wire leader reduces cutoffs from their razor-sharp teeth.
Mangrove snapper is one of our tastiest fish and at times the most abundant. As waters warm, snapper in the Gulf of Mexico move closer to shore, plus many relocate to our inshore waters. What snapper lack in size they make up for in tenacity and food value, plus they may be the easiest fish to target. Many anglers catch their fair share from land while targeting bridges, docks, and piers. Live shrimp is the top bait, a small hook and light leader is necessary to fool their keen eyesight.
Good snook fishing continues through the month of May. Many are on the move, as they head to areas in and near the passes for their upcoming summer spawn. Snook can range in size from little guys barely over a foot long to big girls over 40 inches. While snook will pounce on a variety of lures and baits, live oily baitfish, including scaled sardines or pilchards, Atlantic thread herring, and grunts or pigfish
are the top baits. Expect the best snook bite on days with strong tides. Snook season is closed.
For a variety of fish, nearshore artificial reefs are a great place. You may hook into anything from smaller fish like snapper to huge man-size goliath grouper and everything in between. An assortment of tackle from light to heavy, a variety of bait, and an open mind is the key to taking advantage of what these areas offer on any given day. Reefs are a great place to experiment and try different things while keeping your eyes open for unexpected visitors. Permit and cobia are common over many of the reefs. While cobia eat about anything, neither species often pass on a small live crab.
May will give us consistent days of great weather with blue skies and light wind. Our summer afternoon thunderstorm pattern will kick in so always keep an eye on the sky to stay ahead of an approaching storm. Good weather and the potential for great fishing, what’s not to like about the month!
To keep up on current fishing regulations, you can go to www.myfwc.com or download the Fish Rules app for the latest rules and regulations.
For charter information, please contact us at Gulf Coast Guide Service and “Catch the Action” with Capt. Bill Russell, call or text (239) 410-8576, website: www.fishpineisland.com, email: gcl2fish@ live.com.
Capt. Bill Russell is a native and lifelong resident of Pine Island who has spent his entire life fishing the waters surrounding Pine Island and Southwest Florida. For the past 29 years, Bill has been a professional fishing guide who takes pride in customizing each trip to ensure everyone on board has a great time and will return again. Come join us and “Catch the Action.”
Pick Up Promptly After Your Pet
Whether you’re on a daily walk, a visit to the park or in your own backyard, picking up after your pooch is more than just a common courtesy; it’s our duty as good Southwest Florida citizens. Pet owners might pick up their pet’s waste because it’s the right thing to do, but they may not recognize that doing so helps the environment.
Every day, pet waste is improperly disposed of in Lee County. The concern isn’t just stepping in it; it’s the environmental impact that pet waste has in our community. Canine feces and residue left behind can easily wash into ponds, ditches, canals, rivers and eventually the Gulf. Even droppings left in residential backyards miles from water can leach unwanted nutrients that end up in waterways after heavy rainfall. It’s a significant, yet preventable source of water pollution.
High levels of nitrogen and phosphorus content found in pet waste can feed algae, potentially encouraging noxious algae blooms that sap oxygen from our waters and kill the creatures living in it.
As we’ve seen in recent years, the presence of blue-green algae and red tide impact tourism and our region’s economy. It affects recreational activities like swimming, boating and fishing, as well as homeowners and restauranteurs whose waterfront property loses its luster when they’re unable to enjoy the waterfront views.
A half pound of canine feces can contain 5 billion fecal coliform bacteria and can spread parasites such as hookworms, tapeworms and ringworms to other pets and wild animals. It can also spread parvovirus, a highly contagious and dangerous disease in dogs that can be deadly, especially for puppies.
In Lee County, nearly 50 public parks welcome well-behaved, leashed dogs. Five of those county dog parks allow unleashed dogs to run free. Additionally, Dog Beach between Fort Myers Beach and Bonita Beach is a dedicated place for dogs to play and swim.
Montage Women’s Club
The Montage Women’s Club is a social and philanthropic club open to all women residing in Lee County. We normally meet on the fourth Thursday of each month. Our May meeting will take place at the Hilton Garden Inn (Captiva Ballroom), 12600 University Drive, Fort Myers 33908, corner of College Parkway at the Summerlin Road overpass. Meetings begin at 11:30 a.m. with a short social period, followed by lunch at noon, followed by an informative speaker program and a short business meeting. Within the organization are various interest groups for members’ participation. Membership is open to both year-round and seasonal residents. We welcome you to visit Montage for a luncheon.
Our next meeting will be held on Thursday, May 22. Our speaker will be Adrienne Diaz, a Lee
County Master Gardener and a Certified Square Foot Garden instructor. Square foot gardening is the practice of using a small space and a little elbow grease to achieve great gardening success. Adrienne will inform us about plants that thrive in our climate and how they can grow, even in small areas, as a beautiful addition to your balcony, lanai or garden.
Luncheon fee will be $30 per person, and you always have a choice of either a regular menu entree and/or a vegan plant-based entree.
If you would like to attend a Montage meeting, need further information, or would like to make a reservation, please call Rita Artwohl at (239) 703-7787. Reservations cutoff to attend this meeting is noon, Thursday, May 15.
Lee County’s pet-friendly parks, retail centers and residential neighborhoods often provide complimentary pet waste bags for pet owners to safely dispose of pet waste.
Keeping a plastic bag or two in your pocket is a great idea to help do your part to keep our environment in balance and have a positive impact on the health and well-being of our neighborhoods, waterbodies and wildlife. It is our social and environmental responsibility to pick up after our pets.
To learn more about protecting our water quality, please visit FertilizeSmart.com/pet-waste-info.html.
ASSOCIATION PRESIDENTS
RESOURCE HUB
Admiral’s Isle ................................ Jeff McGinty
Bellavista George Hemsey
Coronado Geoff Smith
Courtyard Homes ...................... Tiffany Gaede
Crescent Cove ......................... Sam Schiphorst
Crooked Pond Carol Tsilimos
Edgewater Mike Sklorenko
Grande Cay ....................................... David Lein
Gulf Harbour Master Chris Cope
Gulf Harbour Marina Dana Snyder
Harbour Landings I Megan Martin
Harbour Landings II ............. Thomas Broadie
Harbour Links
Long Pond
Joe Pierce
Millie Johnson
Mariposa ....................................... Steve Perseo
Mill Pond ................................ Maureen Herold
Osprey Landing William Crouch
Osprey Point Jay Ducharme
Palmas Del Sol ........................... Steve Hancox
Rivers Edge Ron Harrington
Sagamore George Sorensen
Seaside Estates Richard Edelman
Tamarind Cay ........................... Harvey Gordon
The Shores I Gene Marshall
The Shores II Mark Anderson
The Shores III ............................... Dave Reimer
The Shores IV ................................ John Albano
GULF
HARBOUR COUNTRY CLUB
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
William Lambert President
Kim Bauman Vice President
Jack Bourget Treasurer
Patti Buckingham ............................... Secretary
Scott Bassett Governor
Bruce Jasurda Governor
George Johnson ................................. Governor
Reymond Sargenti ............................. Governor
Michael Sklorenko Governor
GULF
HARBOUR MARINA
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President Doug Duncan
Vice President Stephen Patterson
Secretary Mike Needler
Treasurer ....................................... Craig Anderson
Marina Appearance Committee David Kelley
GULF HARBOUR
MASTER ASSOCIATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President Chris Cope
Vice President ............................... David J. Urban
Secretary .................................... Dave Van Namee
Treasurer Carl Pecko
Director
Carol Gillespie
Director ............................................... John Wilson
Director Sam Schiphorst
COMMUNITY NEWS
Bellavista
Coronado
Courtyard Homes
Crooked Pond
Edgewater
Grande Cay
Harbour Landings I
Harbour Landings II
Harbour Links
Long Pond
Marblehead Manor
Mariposa
Mill Pond
Osprey Landing
Osprey Point
Palmas Del Sol
Paramount
Rivers Edge
Sagamore
Seaside Estates
Tamarind Cay
The Shores I
The Shores II
The Shores III
If you want your community news included here, please send articles and pictures to GulfHarbourReport@gmail.com by the 4th of each month.
GULF HARBOUR WEBSITES
GULF HARBOUR MASTER ASSOCIATION
BOARD
MEETINGS
will now be routinely held at Suitor Middleton Cox & Associates offices, 15751 San Carlos Blvd #8, Fort Myers, FL 33908. Meeting date and times will continue to be posted on the signs at the north and south entrances.
ATTENTION ASSOCIATION BOARD
MEMBERS
When your officers change, be sure to notify us so that we can keep both www.GulfHarbour33908.com and the Soundings updated.
GULF HARBOUR MASTER ASSOCIATION • www.GulfHarbour33908.com
GRANDE CAY • www.grandecay.com
HARBOUR LANDINGS I • www.harbourlandings.org
HARBOUR LINKS • www.harbourlinks.net
MARIPOSA • http://detaliassociates.com/secure/login.aspx
PALMAS DEL SOL • www.palmasdelsol.net
PARAMOUNT • http://www.athomenet.com/theparamount
TAMARIND CAY • https://smca.cincwebaxis.com/cinc/home/
GULF HARBOUR COUNTRY CLUB • www.gulfharbour.com
MARINA • www.gulfharbourmarina.com
YACHT CLUB • www.gulfharbouryachtclub.org
RESOURCE HUB
NUMBERS
✨
SEEKING SOUNDINGS WRITERS
Do you have an interesting story to share?
The Soundings is always looking for new and talented writers to submit articles on events, the social scene, restaurants, movies, family matters, village life, etc…
Now is your chance to share your interests with the community. You can contribute each month, just once, or once in a while.
• Are you involved in any particular activities in Gulf Harbour or around town?
• Can you share your knowledge about a specific topic or hobby?
• Do you have (or did you retire from) an interesting career?
• Are you the person who always knows what to do/where to go in our area?
• Do you like to take pictures or draw cartoons?
• Can you pass along a favorite recipe?
If you answered yes to any of the above or have an idea of your own, you can submit your articles (and photos) at GulfHarbourReport@gmail.com.
GOLF CART RULES REMINDER
Gulf Harbour has had several incidents and issues involving golf carts. Reports have included underage driving, wrongway driving, driving on pedestrian and bike paths, and driving under the influence.
Some excerpts from our Rules and Regulations:
Any member, family member, or guest may operate a motorized vehicle (i.e. cars, trucks, golf carts, motorized scooters, etc.) on Master Association property as long as the driver is at least 16 years of age, has a valid driver’s license, and has proof of vehicle insurance.
All golfers with golf carts should refrain from using pedestrian and bicycle pathways, if at all possible, especially if a golf cart path is available in that area and the golf cart driver is playing golf at the time. When use of a Gulf Harbour road is necessary, ATVs, and golf carts utilized for other than golf activities should be driven in the same direction as vehicle traffic and comply with all rules that apply to vehicles.
All Florida rules of the road must be followed when driving motor vehicles within Gulf Harbour.
Please consider the above when driving your golf cart at Gulf Harbour.
RULES & REGULATIONS REMINDER
Lakes: No boating, fishing or swimming in any lake within Gulf Harbour.
RESOURCE HUB
Eagle Perch Island: No fishing.
Marina: No recreational swimming or fishing in the marina. No fish or other marine life of any kind shall be cleaned, prepared or processed in any manner on the property.
Regulations are fully supported by: Gulf Harbour Master Association Inc., Gulf Harbour Golf and Country Club Inc., Gulf Harbour Marina Condominium Association Inc.
DISCLAIMER
REMINDER
All Dogs MUST be leashed at ALL times in and on Gulf Harbour Properties.
The Soundings is a newsletter published for the benefit of the residents of Gulf Harbour. Seabreeze Communications Group assists in providing publishing, printing and advertising services. The content is that of the authors which should not be construed to be representations, opinions or views of the Gulf Harbour Master Association Inc., or its management, officers or directors or Seabreeze Communications Group. Additionally, the paid advertising in the Soundings should not be construed as an endorsement of any advertised product or service. Finally, none of the content of the Soundings may be reproduced for any purpose nor can the name GHY&CC Homeowner’s Association or similar modification be used in any way without the express prior written consent of the GH Master Association Inc Board of Directors.